Gear Obsession

Enough with the Gear Obsession: Focus on the Fundamentals

There’s a growing trend in lacrosse that’s hard to ignore: the obsession with gear. Custom helmets, gloves with wild designs, neon socks, you name it—players and parents alike are going crazy for the latest and greatest in lacrosse fashion. But here’s the thing: flashy gear isn’t going to make you a better player. In fact, all this obsession with looking good is distracting from what really matters—developing your fundamentals.

Don’t get me wrong, gear has a place in the game. Having a well-fitted helmet, durable gloves, and comfortable cleats is important. But when it becomes all about having the coolest custom helmet or the trendiest gloves, we’ve lost sight of what actually helps players improve. You can’t stick-check someone better because your gloves are two-tone. You’re not going to dodge better just because you’ve got the latest, most expensive cleats. It’s all noise.

When Did Gear Become the Focus?

Somewhere along the way, lacrosse gear became a status symbol. Players started worrying more about their appearance than their game, and parents started shelling out hundreds of dollars for custom gear that isn’t doing anything to make their kids better athletes. It’s a distraction. Instead of focusing on how to improve their passing, shooting, footwork, or lacrosse IQ, kids are obsessed with having the latest swag. And guess what? The gear isn’t going to save you when it’s game time.

It’s even more frustrating when you see young players with all the best gear, but their fundamentals are lacking. They’ve got the high-end gloves and a flashy custom stick, but they can’t pass accurately, they drop ground balls, and their footwork on defense is a mess. The focus is all wrong.

Back to Basics: The Fundamentals Matter

Here’s the reality: your fundamentals are the foundation of your game. No amount of flashy gear will change that. If you can’t cradle properly, if your stickwork is sloppy, if your shooting form is off, you’re not going to play at a high level. Gear can’t replace hard work, practice, and dedication to improving the skills that actually matter.

Want to stand out on the field? Get faster, develop your lacrosse IQ, improve your shooting accuracy, and sharpen your stick skills. These are the things that college coaches and recruiters care about. They don’t care what color your gloves are or how custom your helmet looks. They care if you can make the right decisions under pressure, if you’re consistent with your passes and shots, and if you’re a team player.

Parents, Stop Enabling the Hype

Parents, I get it. You want your kids to have nice gear, and there’s definitely some peer pressure involved when all the other kids are decked out in the latest designs. But resist the urge to buy into the hype. Instead of spending hundreds on gear upgrades, invest in training, clinics, and opportunities for your kid to get better at the game itself.

Ask yourself: what’s more important, your kid’s performance on the field, or how they look on the field? Because too often, parents are enabling this gear obsession, when they should be focusing on making sure their kid is developing as a player.

Coaches, Reinforce What Matters

Coaches also have a role to play in this. Don’t get caught up in letting your team become a gear parade. Focus your practices and training on the fundamentals—stickwork, positioning, decision-making, and conditioning. Teach your players that the coolest gear in the world won’t help them win games, but mastering the basics will.

Encourage your players to prioritize their growth as athletes, not their wardrobe. Talk to them about the importance of putting in the hard work in practice, rather than trying to show off with their gear. A player with a well-worn stick and battle-tested gloves is worth far more than the one with a shiny new setup who can’t catch a pass under pressure.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, gear is just gear. It’s there to help protect you and enhance your comfort, but it’s not going to make you a better player. If you’re serious about excelling in lacrosse, it’s time to put the gear obsession aside and refocus on the fundamentals. Develop your skills, train hard, and show up on the field ready to perform—not to show off your latest purchase.

P-Mac